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Over 340 teams sign up to 2017 Foyle Cup

Thursday, 15 June 2017

WEST Bromwich Albion and Republic of Ireland international, James Mc Clean, was the guest of honour at the 25th anniversary press launch of the international Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry

WEST Bromwich Albion and Republic of Ireland international, James Mc Clean, was the guest of honour at the 25th anniversary press launch of the international Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup in the Waterfoot Hotel, Derry, on Monday.

McClean, a former player of Trojans FC, played in the Foyle Cup competition from age 12 up until 19 before signing pro terms with Derry City FC and his subsequent transfer to English Premier League team Sunderland.

He expressed his delight in being invited to be this year's guest of honour in his home city.

"It's a massive honour for me to be asked to launch this tournament," said James. "Obviously I've played in the competition over many years and coming from Derry, it gave me the opportunities that got me to where I am today.

This event has grown so much in stature and importance that I believe the tournament has become an excellent pathway into professional football for many local kids."

The Foyle Cup tournament will take place in the Derry, Strabane and Causeway Coast & Glens Council areas from July 17 to July 22 with a record 345 teams competing in this year's event.

It began as an eight-team, one-day event in 1992, and it is a significant achievement that it has now grown into one of the largest youth tournaments.

Chairman of the organising committee, Michael Hutton, said: "We are delighted with year's entry. Whatever we are doing, we are doing it right when you consider that Ireland is a very small city in terms of the size of countries in the world, and Derry but a full stop, and yet this year we have no fewer than eight teams from America joining us to compete against Celtic, Hearts, Partick Thistle, Hamilton Academicals, Sheffield Utd, Norwich City (2), As Dammartin ( France) Tus Altenberge ( Germany) and FD Suomi ( Finland). "